Marking the 80th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Charter, the Permanent Representative of Cyprus, Ambassador Maria Michael, addressed the United Nations General Assembly, reaffirming the enduring relevance of the Charter and Cyprus’s steadfast adherence to its fundamental principles.
Referring to the historic moment of 1945, Ambassador Michael recalled that “the international press welcomed the United Nations Charter as ‘a blueprint for peace’, ushering a new era for renewed hope and humanity.” Despite the challenges the international community faces today, she stressed that the Charter’s core objectives remain timely. “Its purpose resonates to this day,” she said.
Ambassador Michael pointed out the Charter’s pivotal role in safeguarding fundamental principles of international law such as “the sovereign equality of all states, the prohibition of the use of force, and the peaceful settlement of disputes,” noting that it remains “the cornerstone of international peace and security”.
While acknowledging shortcomings in the Charter’s implementation, Cyprus attributed these not to flaws in the text itself but to “our collective failure to uphold its vision through genuine political will and multilateral commitment”.
“Despite its limitations,” she continued, “the Charter has led to tangible achievements. Through peacekeeping operations, the promotion of international law, and its broad humanitarian and development work, the United Nations has helped reduce poverty, combat disease, respond to humanitarian crises, protect the environment, and promote peace and security”.
Cyprus, she affirmed, “as a country that has experienced firsthand the menace of foreign invasion and illegal military occupation, reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the Charter and its principles”.
She further stressed that the international community must focus on “respecting the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of all Member States,” and placed particular emphasis on the peaceful settlement of disputes.
In this context, Cyprus expressed “its strong support for the International Court of Justice as the linchpin of the rules-based international order” underlining that “compliance with its rulings is essential for the settlement of existing disputes and the prevention of future ones”.
Concluding, Ambassador Michael called for “enhanced international cooperation and stronger support for the United Nations” as the only path toward fulfilling the vision of the Charter and “ensuring lasting peace, security, and development for future generations”